Hoyer: 9/11 Report Is a Call to Action that Must Not Be Ignored

For Immediate Release:

July 22, 2004

Contact:Stacey Farnen202-225-3130

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today regarding the final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission:

"The findings and recommendations in the 9/11 Commission's final report issued this morning are welcome, important and, at times, disturbing. It is abundantly clear from the recommendations and Chairman Kean's remarks that we are still vulnerable to attack, and that action is imperative.

"I commend the Commissioners for their hard work and the bipartisan manner in which they conducted this investigation and wrote this report. The American people do not want their government to waste time casting blame. They want to be assured that their government is taking action to prevent attacks against this nation from occurring again.

"I support the Commission's recommendation to establish a national counter-terrorism center. This will help improve coordination between government agencies and enhance information sharing.

"The recommendation to create a national intelligence director also will improve coordination across agency lines and allow the CIA director to focus on the management of that agency.

"I am hopeful that Congress and the Administration will now work in a bipartisan way to implement many of these important recommendations. The bottom line is, the protection and safety of the American people is the paramount duty of the government and political posturing has not role whatsoever."